When someone suffers from depression, friends and family members naturally want to help-but too often their good intentions come out all wrong. This practical, compassionate guide helps readers understand exactly what their loved one is going through, and why certain approaches help and others have the potential to do damage. Talking to Depression offers specific advice on what to do and what not to do-and what to say and what not to say-to avoid frustration and give the kind of caring, effective support that will make a difference.

Talking To DepressionForeword by Martha Manning
Preface

PART I—GETTING STARTED

Chapter One

An Overview of Depression: Frequently Asked Questions

Chapter Two
Where to Start: Deciding You Can Help

Chapter Three
Seeing Through Their Eyes: What Depression Feels Like

PART II—WHAT TO SAY

Chapter Four

Opening the Conversation: First Things to Say

Chapter Five
Words That Wound: What Not to Say

Chapter Six
Words That Work: What to Say

Chapter Seven
Dos and Dont's: A Helpful Reference

Chapter Eight
Answering and Unanswerable: Responding to Difficult Questions

PART III—WHAT TO DO

Chapter Nine

Without Words: Using Body Language to Show Your Support

Chapter Ten
Some Practical Support: Ways You Can Help Keep Life on Track

Chapter Eleven
Gifting: What You Can Give to Help Healing Happen

PART IV—SUICIDE

Chapter Twelve

Warning Signs: What to Look For

Chapter Thirteen
Assessing Imminent Danger: What to Ask

Chapter Fourteen
Still Here: Moving Toward Survival

PART V—LIVING DAY TO DAY

Chapter Fifteen

Situation by Situation: One Thing at a Time

PART VI—KIDS AND TEENAGERS

Chapter Sixteen

Tips for Kids: When Someone in the Family Is Suffering from Depression

Chapter Seventeen
Tips About Kids: When They Are Depressed Themselves

PARTt VII—TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

Chapter Eighteen

Talking to Yourself: Sustaining Your Strength

Afterword
Easing the Way

Resources
Where to Find Out More

Claudia J. Strauss is an award-winning communication consultant and educator. An adjunct professor of English at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania, she runs a business in strategic communication and coaches adults with ADD and other learning disabilities.
Martha Manning is a clinical psychologist and the author of The Common Thread: Mothers, Daughters, and the Power of Empathy; Undercurrents: A Life Beneath the Surface; Chasing Grace: Reflections of a Catholic Girl, Grown Up; and All Seasons Pass: Grieving Miscarriage. She has been featured on Dateline, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, 60 Minutes II, and the Emmy Award–nominated HBO documentary Dead Blue: Surviving Depression.